Attempt a comparison between the Epithalamion and the Prothalamion as wedding songs

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Edmund Spenser’s “Epithalamion” and “Prothalamion” are both renowned wedding poems, yet they differ significantly in tone, subject, and purpose. While both poems belong to the tradition of nuptial songs, “Epithalamion” celebrates the poet’s own wedding, whereas “Prothalamion” is composed to honor the weddings of two noblewomen. Below is a detailed comparison between these two wedding songs.

1. Subject Matter and Occasion

Epithalamion: Written to celebrate Spenser’s own marriage to Elizabeth Boyle in 1594, “Epithalamion” is a highly personal poem. It is an expression of the poet’s deep love, joy, and hope for the future. The poem is filled with intimate details about his wedding day, from the rising of the sun to the consummation of the marriage at night. Spenser focuses on his personal experience of love, the bride, and the joy of marriage.
Example: The poem follows the course of the wedding day, as seen in the lines, “The joyful day, so long expected, is come at last, / Yet now that all is done, I see not why / I should not still enjoy her whom I have won.”
Prothalamion: Written in 1596, “Prothalamion” is a more public and ceremonial poem. It celebrates the marriages of the Earl of Worcester’s daughters, Lady Elizabeth Somerset and Lady Katherine Somerset. Unlike the personal tone of “Epithalamion”, “Prothalamion” focuses on the celebration of the union of noble families and is dedicated to these noblewomen. The poem contains a formal and commemorative feel, marking the occasion with grandeur and public significance.
Example: Spenser reflects the broader, public nature of the occasion: “Sweet Thames! run softly, till I end my song.” The refrain emphasizes the serene and celebratory atmosphere of the day, while also marking the social importance of the marriages.

2. Tone and Mood

Epithalamion: The tone of “Epithalamion” is joyful, passionate, and intimate. It reflects Spenser’s personal emotions and desires for his marriage. There is a sense of personal triumph and deep love running throughout the poem. The mood shifts from the anticipation of the wedding in the early morning to the deep fulfillment and blessing of the marriage by the end of the poem. Spenser is also highly optimistic and hopeful for a fruitful and blessed married life.
Example: In the poem, Spenser invokes various gods and mythological figures to bless his marriage, calling for “Hymen io Hymen,” the god of marriage, to be present at the celebration. This invocation adds a sacred, almost divine tone to the personal celebration of his love.
Prothalamion: The tone of “Prothalamion” is more restrained, formal, and dignified. Though there is an undercurrent of celebration, it lacks the intense personal emotion that characterizes “Epithalamion”. Instead, it has a more public and ceremonial tone, fitting for the occasion of a double wedding involving noble families. The mood is tranquil, especially with its repeated refrain “Sweet Thames! run softly,” which emphasizes peace and serenity rather than personal passion.
Example: The mood is reflective and calm, with natural imagery such as swans, water, and the Thames River contributing to the peaceful atmosphere: “Along the shores of silver streaming Thames.”

3. Structure and Length

Epithalamion: The structure of “Epithalamion” is intricate and reflects the passage of time during the wedding day, with 24 stanzas symbolizing the hours of the day and the length of a day and night. The poem moves from the morning preparations, through the actual wedding ceremony, to the night when the couple consummates their marriage. This progression gives the poem a temporal, almost narrative structure that mirrors the unfolding of the wedding day.
Example: The poem captures the moments of the wedding day, as in the lines, “Tell me, ye merchants’ daughters, did ye see / So fair a creature in your town before?” This line captures the excitement and attention on the bride as the wedding unfolds.
Prothalamion: “Prothalamion” is shorter and less structured than “Epithalamion”. The poem is written in a more linear fashion, without the symbolic representation of time. Its primary structure is built around a refrain, “Sweet Thames! run softly, till I end my song,” which is repeated after every couple of stanzas. This creates a harmonious and flowing rhythm that mirrors the river imagery central to the poem.
Example: The poem’s structure is looser, focusing on the twin themes of the brides’ beauty and the serenity of the river. The refrain unifies the stanzas, giving the poem a lyrical and peaceful quality.

4. Use of Nature Imagery

Epithalamion: In “Epithalamion”, nature is depicted in its vibrant, celebratory form. The sun, flowers, birds, and mythological elements all contribute to the joyous depiction of the wedding day. Nature is seen as part of the celebration, and Spenser often invokes the beauty of nature to reflect the beauty of his bride and the significance of the marriage. The natural world seems to bless and participate in the union.
Example: “Bring with you all the nymphs that you can hear / Both of the rivers and the forests green,” Spenser calls upon nature to be an active participant in his wedding, reflecting how intertwined his celebration of marriage is with the natural world.
Prothalamion: In “Prothalamion”, nature is portrayed more as a peaceful and serene backdrop to the wedding event. The central image of the river Thames running softly reflects the poem’s calm, reflective tone. The swans on the river symbolize purity, beauty, and grace, aligning with the virtues of the brides being celebrated. While nature in “Epithalamion” is active and dynamic, in “Prothalamion” it is gentle and serene.
Example: “Upon the bridal day, which is not long: / Sweet Thames! run softly, till I end my song.” The river’s quiet flow mirrors the peaceful mood of the day, and the swans that accompany the brides emphasize beauty and grace in a more subdued, ceremonial manner.

5. Symbolism and Mythological Allusions

Epithalamion: Mythological allusions abound in “Epithalamion”. Spenser invokes classical gods and figures, such as Hymen (the god of marriage) and Juno (the goddess of marriage), to bless his union. The mythological references underscore the sacred and eternal aspects of marriage, elevating his personal celebration into a universal, almost divine event.
Example: “Ye gods of seas, if ever ye did bring / Unto a godly bride such hallowed rite,” Spenser calls upon divine powers to witness and sanctify his marriage, blending personal joy with a broader, mythological framework.
Prothalamion: “Prothalamion” is less personal and more allegorical in its use of mythological references. The swans, symbols of beauty and purity, glide peacefully down the river, symbolizing the noble brides’ grace and virtue. The mythological references are more subdued, fitting the tone of a public, formal celebration of noble weddings.
Example: The poem’s use of classical references is seen in the description of the brides as swans, which “float upon the rivers of delight,” suggesting their beauty and grace in a more symbolic, idealized form.

6. Conclusion and Focus

Epithalamion: The poem ends on a note of deep fulfillment and hope for future blessings, particularly in terms of progeny and a prosperous married life. Spenser shifts from the immediate joy of the wedding to looking forward to the lasting happiness and harmony of the marriage, asking for divine blessings on their union.
Example: Spenser writes, “And let us rest, sweet love, in hope of this, / And cease till then our timely joys to sing,” as he concludes the poem by anticipating future joys and harmony in married life.
Prothalamion: The conclusion of “Prothalamion” is more formal and ceremonial. Spenser focuses on the honor and celebration of the brides’ marriages, ensuring that the tone remains reflective and tranquil. There is less emphasis on personal emotion and more on the broader social importance of the unions.
Example: “Now cease, my song, till thou again have leisure, / To her my love, and her sweet memory.” The final lines underscore the poet’s role as a celebrant of the public event rather than a participant.

Conclusion:

While “Epithalamion” is deeply personal, intimate, and centered on Spenser’s own wedding, “Prothalamion” is a more public and ceremonial work, focused on the marriages of noblewomen. “Epithalamion” is rich in emotion and intimate detail, with nature playing an active role in the celebration, whereas “Prothalamion” is more restrained, with a formal tone that reflects the grandeur of noble weddings. Both poems, however, are filled with classical allusions, nature imagery, and an overarching sense of reverence for the institution of marriage.